CORAL HARBOUR - The people of Coral Harbour couldn't let one of the biggest hockey days in Canada go by without taking part.

Margaret Nakoolak and Emily McLean, right, display their favourite team colours during Hockey Day in Coral Harbour this past month. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak

To that end, the community came together to hold Coral's version of Hockey Day in Canada at the local arena on Jan. 30.

The event was organized by John Eetuk, Noel Kaludjak and Rosie Tanuyak-Ell.

Kaludjak also sang the national anthem with Erica Angootealuk at the event, and announced the game in Inuktitut.

Coral's Junior C team dumped the local senior men's squad by a score of 12 to 5 in the featured game.

Eetuk said when people realized the hamlet's recreation department hadn't organized anything for Hockey Day in Canada, they decided Coral wanted to be part of the festivities.

He said in addition to watching the big game, people were asked to wear their favourite team jersey to the event.

"We had about 50 or 60 people wear their jerseys, and we brought them all out onto the ice to display their favourite teams after the second period," said Eetuk.

"The two most popular jerseys were Montreal and Toronto, although there were a lot of others out there, too.

"Hockey's starting to do good again in Coral, right now, so it was perfect timing to support Hockey Day in Canada, bring the community together for an event, and also show support for the people playing the game in our community."

Eetuk said the event was brought together very quickly.

He said everything was totally free of charge, and the organizers announced it on local radio and the Internet.

"We didn't have much time to organize everything, so we kept it to just the one game and the sweater wearing this time.

"We had a really good turnout, everyone seemed to have a good time, and I received encouragement from people who told me it was a good idea.

"We're going to look at holding it again next year, but we'll start earlier and have a better plan."